The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: ## Breakthrough in Treating Serious Liver Disease A new international study reveals that semaglutide—the active ingredient in well-known diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy—can effectively treat a severe form of fatty liver disease called metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH)[2][3][5]. **Semaglutide Shows Promising Results** The research found that a weekly dose of semaglutide led to improvement in 63% of patients with MASH, marking a significant advance for individuals battling this condition[2][3][5]. MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, occurs when excessive fat in the liver causes inflammation. This can eventually progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer[2]. **About the Study and Its Participants** The phase 3 clinical trial, known as the ESSENCE trial, was a large, randomized, double-blind study involving 800 participants from 37 countries. The majority of participants had type 2 diabetes, and about three-quarters were living with obesity[3][5]. Patients received a weekly injection of 2.4 mg semaglutide or a placebo, coupled with lifestyle counseling[3][5]. **Significant Improvements Over Placebo** After 72 weeks of treatment, 62.9% of patients taking semaglutide experienced a reduction in steatohepatitis—liver inflammation from fat accumulation—compared to 34.3% in the placebo group[3][5]. Additionally, 36.8% of those on semaglutide showed improvements in liver fibrosis (scarring), as opposed to only 22.4% of those on placebo[3][5]. Patients taking semaglutide also lost about 10.5% of their body weight and showed improvements in liver enzyme levels and blood markers of liver fibrosis[3][5]. **Side Effects and Safety** While semaglutide was generally effective, gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting were more common among those treated with the drug[3][5]. **Expert Reactions** Experts say these findings offer major hope for patients living with advanced fatty liver disease. However, they urge caution and emphasize the need for continued long-term study to confirm benefits and monitor potential risks[5]. **Looking to the Future** Researchers are now tracking over a thousand participants for up to five years to better understand how semaglutide affects long-term liver health outcomes[5]. Given the rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes globally, these results suggest semaglutide might become an important weapon against serious liver disease linked to metabolic disorders[2][5]. Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9